Why asbestos is dangerous

To find out more about asbestos related diseases please go to the Asbestos Diseases section of this website. Asbestos Awareness Why Asbestos is Dangerous. Simply put, asbestos is dangerous because it kills people and destroys lives! Breathing in asbestos fibres can cause Asbestos Related Diseases : Mesothelioma cancer Asbestos related lung cancer Asbestosis Asbestos related pleural disease Pleural plaques; and more NOTE: Mesothelioma is regarded as a terminal cancer with no known cure.

The World Health Organisation has stated: There is no known safe level of exposure to asbestos! Asbestos workers' families have gotten mesothelioma from the dust the workers brought home on their clothes.

All of the asbestos diseases have a latency period. The latency period is the gap between the time you breathe asbestos and the time you start to feel sick. The latency period for asbestos diseases is between 10 to 40 years.

You will not feel sick during the latency period. If you get an asbestos disease, you will begin to feel sick after the latency period. Not everyone exposed to asbestos gets an asbestos disease. However, anyone exposed to asbestos has a higher risk of getting an asbestos disease.

All of the asbestos diseases are difficult to treat. Most are impossible to cure. Stopping asbestos fibers from ever entering your lungs is important. The only cure for most asbestos diseases is to prevent them. The most common test used to learn if you have been exposed to asbestos is a chest x-ray. The x-ray cannot detect the asbestos fibers themselves, but can detect early signs of lung disease caused by asbestos. Other tests, such as lung scanning and computer-aided tomography CAT scan , are also useful in detecting changes in the lungs.

For more information about asbestos, contact the Asbestos Program at MDH through the internet or by telephone at Asbestos Products When Americans are exposed to asbestos today, it is usually through renovation or demolition work on an old building that still contains legacy asbestos products.

Discontinued asbestos products Vinyl asbestos tiles Asbestos cement Asbestos roofing felt Asbestos adhesives, sealants and coatings Asbestos reinforced plastics. Learn More About Asbestos Products. Pittsburgh Corning Armstrong World Industries.

Learn More About Asbestos Companies. How to Identify Asbestos Products Microscopic asbestos fibers cannot be seen, smelled or tasted. Asbestos materials fall into two risk categories:. Friable asbestos materials Friable asbestos materials are easy to break or crumble by hand. Examples include old asbestos pipe insulation and talcum powder contaminated with asbestos.

These materials are dangerous because they can easily release toxic dust into the air. Nonfriable asbestos materials Nonfriable asbestos materials, such as asbestos cement slabs and vinyl asbestos tiles, are durable.

These products keep asbestos fibers safely trapped as long as the products are undisturbed. Sawing, scraping or smashing the product may release fibers. Tips for Safely Handling Asbestos Some situations require the removal of asbestos-containing materials. If you are considering DIY asbestos abatement, remember the following precautions: Seal off the work area with plastic sheets and turn off the air conditioning. Wear a respirator with a high efficiency particulate air HEPA filter.

Wear disposable coveralls and gloves during asbestos abatement. Use a pump sprayer to keep asbestos materials wet and suppress dust at all times. Clean the work area with wet wipes or a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter. Dispose of asbestos waste in clearly labeled bags at a landfill that can accept asbestos.

Is Asbestos Banned? Safe Alternative to Asbestos Since the s, manufacturers in the United States have largely phased out the use of asbestos, relying instead on several safer substitutes. Polyurethane foam Polyurethane foam is cheap and effective for insulation. Construction workers can easily apply spray polyurethane foam to insulate and seal. Amorphous silica fabric Amorphous silica fabric is a high-quality cloth woven from nearly pure amorphous silica fibers.

Like asbestos, the fibers do not rot or burn. Cellulose fiber Cellulose fiber is typically made from cotton, wood pulp, linen or shredded paper that is chemically treated to enhance it properties. Thermoset plastic flour Thermoset plastic flour is made of a mixture of wood fibers and binders, such as egg or gelatin, which is hardened and then finely ground. Asbestos Cover-Up The history of asbestos extends back to ancient times, but in the U. Phasing Out Asbestos However, the publication of new information about asbestos and medical evidence linking the mineral to cancer could no longer be ignored.

Timeline Late s Asbestos mining became a major industry to supply fibers for industrial products. Asbestos companies quietly researched health effects and kept results hidden.

Johns Manville settles 11 asbestosis lawsuits. Medical studies confirm asbestos causes mesothelioma. An asbestos insulator won the first major asbestos lawsuit.

Asbestos Lawsuits Asbestos manufacturers are held liable for the diseases their products cause because they covered up evidence of the health effects of asbestos and continued exposing workers and consumers.

Get The Compensation You Deserve An experienced mesothelioma attorney can help you and your family through the entire legal process.

Connect with a mesothelioma lawyer today. Find a Top Mesothelioma Attorney. Common Questions About Asbestos. What do I need to know about asbestos and diseases such as mesothelioma? Asbestos refers to a group of fibrous minerals used to strengthen and fireproof materials. When inhaled over long periods of time, asbestos fibers become trapped in the body and cause diseases such as mesothelioma , lung cancer and asbestosis.

More than 50 other countries have banned the use of asbestos, but its use remains legal in the U. Hiring an asbestos abatement company to remove asbestos from residential and commercial buildings is the safest decision to keep yourself and others safe. Compensation is available for those who have been exposed to asbestos. Should I see a doctor if I have been exposed to asbestos? Can I get compensation if I have been exposed to asbestos?

Quick Fact Companies that exposed people to asbestos were forced to create trust funds before filing for bankruptcy. Access Mesothelioma Trust Funds. Tell us what you think Did this article help you? How did this article help you? This article answered all of my questions. It was helpful, but I still have questions. This article contains incorrect information. I found this information too complicated. I have a question after reading this article.

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